The Washington critic., 1887-06-07
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY.
Tho Plan Upon which 1t VIII bo
Modelled,

lhc rim upon NntCn III VIII w
Modelled.
The cordial Endorsement which the Pope
personally bestowed upon the Catholic Uni
verslty project was q source OF great gratl0-
cation to Bishop Keane, who is to be the
first president or rector OF the institution,
and who may be said to be the chief mover
In It's prosecution among the American hier-
archy. Says letter from Rome to the Bal
tlmore SUH. Until either divided duty be-
comes so strong as to demand his exclusive
attention the most reverend rector will con-
tinue in episcopal charge Of the Diocese OF
Richmond. II, as the head OF the great In
stitution OF learning, his duties should be-
come too onerous, he will withdraw from
bis diocesan functions, being made bishop
IL pdriibUs. This, however, Is by no means
probable inside OF half dozen years, for 1t
is contemplated advancing the institution
slowly, and step by step, first establishing
only the theological department, and begin
ming even that somewhat on an experlmen.
tai scale.
THE fIRsT BUILDING.
The first building will be so constructed
as to afford direct facilities for com
paratively small number OF students, say
thirty or thereabouts when the necessity
arises, as will probably be the case In very
short time, the original building will be
greatly enlarged. There will be room for
vast extensions on all sides. The sixty
acres OF ground in the suburbs OF Washing
ton will be Immediately put In order, and
the work Is to be pushed energetically.
When the theological department, the CEN
tral aim, has been practically inaugurated,
the other departments will receive atten-
tlon. The faculties will be selected from
all. rt.r ~ St.,. .t.xha l,.a
already opened negotiations, or more
properly speaking, overtures have passed
between him and some OF the most dis
tnguished tbeologians OF the Catholic
Church in Europe.
THE MODEL ADOPTED.
The University OF Louvain, Belgium, will
be adopted as the model for the American
University, although 1t is, Of course, In
tended not to follow too closely any one
existing institution, but to endeavor to imi-
tate what is considered the best among oil
the great educational establishments OF the
world. The Idea Of the founders is to In
corporate such a high standing Of education
as would not bring the university into con.
ilict or competition with already existing
colleges under the Catholic Church In the
United States. For example such branches
would be taught In the theological depart
ment as do not constitute q part OF the
teachings in the other theological colleges
and semiparies throughout the country.
The graduate OF such seminaries as happen
to be In relation with the university, no
matter in what part Of the world, may then
be admitted TO the university course. Such
an arrangement will be made as will en-
title different dioceses in the United States
to send young theologian to Washington.
THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.
Outside OF the theological college there
is to be nothing OF religiously denomina-
tional character to the university, believe.
The best instructors are to be secured In
every branch, be they clerical or lay. Scat
tered here and there over the ample ground
will be lecture halls, etc, where the lee
tures, upon general educational subjects
will be free alike to members Of all depart
meBts. A strong effort will be male dur
ing the present year to endow number
university chairs. Bishop Keane was dis
inclined to submit to q formal interview
upon the subject OF the university, but dur
ing the course Of q casual conversation the
day before his departure from Rome he
gave me the above general idea OF the plan
Of the new institution.
TIE ENDOWMENT.
The funds contributed for the erection OF
the new University buildings have now
reached about $75O,OOO. The Catholics OF
this city have contributed $4,000 for the
endowment Of one Of the professorships.
As soon as Bishop Keane, the dean Of the
university, returns from Europe, the board
Of directors will have a meeting, and then
some definite plan for the new university
will be announced. In the meantime the
plans submitted by the different architects
In OF tpp ha- haa mai b tI,.
prizes awarded. These plans have In a
measure been combined and the best fea-
lures In each retained. The present plan
provides for a large structure of brick,
with dome-llke tower, which will be used
for astronomical purposes. 1t is the inten-
tion to erect but one building now. Those
interested In the university think that there
will be no difficulty in raising the S5,000,-
600 which are considered necessary to es-
tahlish and amin the uniuntsIip